Aparna Swarup, wife of diplomat Vikas Swarup, who wrote “Q & A,” the original story behind Oscar-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire,” is showing her art in Tokyo. Born in Kanpur, India, she currently lives in Kobe. Swarup won several painting competitions in her childhood. However, ...

The rhythm was born out of the dancers’ steps, their cries and even their gold necklaces. With that rhythm, they told a folk tale. On Feb. 11, the Serbian National Ensemble Kolo folk dancers performed at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo. ...

Markus Werba’s love of Lieder (songs composed to German poetry), has had him likened to an extinct creature. Therefore the opera singer’s “Liederabend” (Evening of Songs) at Tokyo’s Suntory Hall could be a rare chance to hear a passionate performance of the 19th Century ...

Some people might be interested in buying artwork, but hefty price tags can often scare them away. The Tolman Collection in Tokyo might alleviate this fear with a clearance sale of sorts. Recognized as the largest publisher in contemporary graphic art, the gallery opened ...

If you are in the Kyoto or Kansai area and missed the chance to have nanakusagayu (seven-herb porridge) on the seventh day of the new year, Jonangu Shrine should be your main destination on Japan’s National Foundation holiday. Traditionally, Japanese people eat the rice ...

Japan’s lion dances, and there are about 7,800 of them, all have their own style but the purpose is mainly the same. The shishi (lion) dances act as a prayer to ward off evil spirits. The National Theater will host five sacred shishi performances ...

If you are searching for family fun during the winter, several skating spots have opened across Japan. What’s more, many of them are striving to be environmentally conscious. The Volkswagen skating rink opened Jan. 5 in Tokyo Midtown. This 800-meter-long outdoor rink will be ...

Hakone’s Lalique Museum is showing Rene Lalique’s glass works in an interesting gallery — the famed Orient Express. The Orient Express was made famous by British author Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel “Murder on the Orient Express.” Lalique (1860-1945) is a well-known glass designer and ...

If you want to enjoy the traditional way of spending New Year’s holidays in Japan, your best option would be to visit a temple or shrine. On New Year’s Eve and the first three days of January, the nation’s temples and shrines buzz with ...

Yokohama Minato Mirai Hall will hold an opera for small children (5 years and older) to commemorate 150 years since the opening of Yokohama’s port. Performed by soprano singer Etsuko Yamada, this so-called mono-opera will be directed by Yumiko Akami, with pianist Michiko Fukushima. ...